MONROE, Conn. — Six star Masuk High athletes participated in a signing day in the media center Wednesday, showing their intentions to continue their outstanding careers in college.
“Today is a celebration of commitment, perseverance and the dedication it takes to reach the next level, both academically and athletically,” Masuk Athletic Director Brian Hourigan said from the podium. “This afternoon we are proud to honor the following students as they continue their journeys next year …”
Seated at a table in front of the room with a large Panther logo as the backdrop were Grace Sheppard, who will play basketball for Fitchburg State University; Jake Viglione, lacrosse, Roanoke University; Nate Archer, football, University of New Haven; and three baseball players Ethan Fonck, Western Connecticut State University; Steven Curtin, Eastern Connecticut State University; and Jerson Perez, who will play for the University of Hartford.
Basking in the moment were families and friends of the star athletes.
“Each of you has put in countless hours, early mornings, long practices and moments that have tested your resolve,” Hourigan said. “Signing to continue your athletic career is not just about talent, it reflects your discipline, character and the standards you’ve set for yourselves. It’s also important to recognize that nobody gets here on their own. The support of your families, the guidance of your coaches and the bonds with your teammates have all played an important role to helping you reach today.”
“We are incredibly proud of all that you’ve accomplished and grateful for the way you’ve represented Masuk,” he said. “We look forward to following your continued success in the next chapter. Congratulations to each of you.”
During the ceremony, each player received an introduction from their head coach.
Grace Sheppard
Masuk Girls Basketball Coach Dan Young said a few words about Sheppard.
“Our season just ended, so it feels a little bit fresh here, but this is a great day to honor what Grace has done over the last four years,” Young said. “In terms of her individual accomplishments, she’s been a two time All Division player, she’s a two year captain, a team MVP, and she was just selected to play in Connecticut’s Senior All Star Game.”
Young said Sheppard encapsulates all of the positive attributes Hourigan had said make someone special. He also praised her work ethic and strong family support.
“She’s someone that’s easy to root for in these past four years as I got to see her evolve as a player, as a person, as a leader, as someone who has shown a true driven attitude to be successful, so for her to be able to sign today is an outstanding thing,” Young said.
“What can Fitchburg expect from Grace?” Young asked, before answering, “they can expect somebody who is going to be an absolute, the hardest worker on the team, someone who’s going to love playing the game, someone that’s going to be a great teammate, someone that’s going to continue to evolve and better herself and really build a team that can be successful, enjoy the ride and really make the most of her opportunities.”
“Grace congratulations to you,” he said. “I’m so proud of what you’ve been able to achieve and I can’t wait to see the success you have at the college level.”
Jake Viglione
Masuk Boys Lacrosse Coach Terry Stroz could not make the ceremony, so Hourigan read his prepared remarks about Viglione:
It is a privilege to speak on behalf of Jake Viglione as he prepares to join the Roanoke Maroons Lacrosse program in the fall. I have had the honor to coach Jake for the past three years here at Masuk. It has been an absolute pleasure watching him develop as an outstanding athlete and a respected leader among his peers.’
Jake is a standout defenseman in our league and the state, who possesses an exceptional lacrosse I.Q. He has a natural feel for the game, consistently making the right decisions in situations.
In my time as head lacrosse coach at Masuk, Jake has always taken on the role as our lockdown defender matched up against every other team’s top offensive performer. Jake has truly embraced his role, and let’s just say it has made us a better lacrosse program.
Jake has a tremendous work ethic, always leaving everything on the field and outworking all of his opponents.
Beyond his individual performance on the field, Jake’s impact on our team culture has been profound. Jake leads by example, maintaining a positive and competitive temperament no matter if it is practice or a game. Jake always brings his best.
At Roanoke, a program that prides itself on toughness and tradition, I am confident that Jake’s grit, work ethic and unselfish play will allow him to contribute to the team’s success on day one.
Over the past three years, Jake has continued to constantly improve himself as a lacrosse player and has also improved the entire Masuk program.
Jake Viglione is a lacrosse player with an excellent work ethic and a true passion for the game of lacrosse. I am excited to see him continue his lacrosse career at such a great school like Roanoke. Jake, wishing you the best of luck and enjoy every minute of it. Congratulations Jake.
Nate Archer
Masuk Head Football Coach Chris Pace said a few words about standout defensive lineman Nate Archer.
“It’s an honor to stand here and it gives me great pleasure to recognize a young man who made a lasting impact on this program,” Pace said. “I’ve only known Nate for a year, but it didn’t take long to understand where all of Nate’s successes come from. All of his achievements, both on and off the field, are no accident. They are a direct result of his level of dedication and commitment that you just don’t see every day.”
“Nate’s work ethic, quite simply is second to none,” Pace said. “He strives to be the best at all he does and in doing so he raises the bar for everyone around him. He isn’t just content with his own improvement, he leads by example.”
Pace said Archer sets a standard, then shows his teammates what it looks like to set a goal and let nothing stand in your way of reaching it.
“He outworks the competition on a daily basis, which has resulted in Nate leaving an everlasting mark on Masuk football,” Pace said. “To top it all off, the attributes he takes to the field, he is a young man that does everything the right way with class and integrity.”
“But as much as we’ll miss his talent, leadership and presence on the field, we are even more excited by his next chapter,” he said. “Nate, we are confident that you will take the same relentless work ethic to the Blue and Gold. We know you are going to contribute to the Chargers’ program in countless ways.”
“Most importantly, we’re proud that you will be the one representing Masuk football and the Monroe community at the next level,” Pace said. “You are the embodiment of everything we strive for in our student athletes, character, grit and integrity. Nate, we wish you nothing but the best. We hope your collegiate career is filled with just as many accomplishments and successes you have experienced here. Congratulations Nate.”
Steven Curtin
In addition to serving as Masuk’s athletic director, Hourigan is the boys baseball coach. He introduced his three players, starting with Curtin, a four-year-member of the Panthers “and one of our best hitters and one of our best corner infielders — truly a great player.”
Curtin had a .339 batting average last year, smashing seven doubles with 13 runs batted in (RBIs). He also earned All Colonial honors.
“He hits in the middle of our lineup,” Hourigan said. “He’s done that pretty much since the first game he’s played varsity, which if you know anything about that, in baseball you have to be a truly great hitter to do that because you’re gonna get harder pitches, curve balls etc. — and he’s the only one who can handle it, so it’s a compliment to him.”
Hourigan said Curtin is cool under pressure. “He’s a man of few words and he’s got a slow heartbeat and that allows him to be great at the game of baseball, because the situation doesn’t rattle him,” Hourigan said.
Hourigan remembers Curtin’s sophomore year. One game, when the Panthers were struggling at the plate, the coaches decided to let Curtin come off the bench to see what he could do.
“He gets in and he get’s a clutch RBI single and I don’t think he’s been out of the lineup since,” Hourigan recalled. “And it’s been really impressive.”
Hourigan also remembers how Curtin hauled in a touchdown pass as a receiver for Masuk’s football team during its state title run a year ago. “It doesn’t matter the moment, Steve is always ready for it and that’s why he’s one of our most important players,” he said, “and even though he’s a quiet leader, when you see him in those quiet moments with his teammates, they always have a big smile on their face when they’re around him, because his teammates really love his presence.”
“Eastern’s getting a great ballplayer and they’re getting a ballplayer that I think has an amazing upside,” Hourigan said.
Though he encouraged Curtin to stay at Eastern Connecticut State University throughout his college career, with his enormous potential, Hourigan said it would not surprise him if Curtin transferred to play in a higher division.
“Congratulations Steve, on a great career so far and best of luck,” Hourigan said.
Ethan Fonck
Mid-season last spring, the Panthers were still trying to figure things out, according to Hourigan, who had asked his pitchers who they trusted most to be their catcher. Ethan Fonck, a four-year member of the team, was the overwhelming choice.
“Every single one of them said that they trusted Ethan to catch them,” Hourigan said. “So he builds that trust and he’s just a person that you can always count on. He has incredible toughness beyond what I could even comprehend, whether it’s working out, pushing through adversity …”
Hourigan remembered one day at practice when people came up to him out of concern for Fonck, who was catching in the dugout without wearing any protective gear.
“That’s not an easy thing to do, to take an 80-mile-an-hour fastball off your chest,” Hourigan said. “But he’s just that tough and I think it impacts his teammates and they want to do better because of that.”
Hourigan also praised Fonck for being well-rounded. “Not only is he a great athlete, but he’s involved in the arts,” Hourigan said. “He’s a musician. He can do literally anything and his teammates are just inspired by what he does, especially with his work ethic and his toughness.”
“Western is getting a truly outstanding and talented young man,” Hourigan said, “and I’m so excited for his next steps. Congratulations Ethan.”
Jerson Perez
Perez is a four-year-member of the Panthers’ baseball team, a captain and a middle of the lineup hitter who batted .338 last year with 10 RBIs and eight steals. He also earned a Gold Glove for his steady play at second base.
“He’s truly outstanding,” Hourigan said. “He’s willing to do anything that a team needs of him: hit-and-run, hit-by-a-pitch, pick up a water cooler, rake a field … whatever we need, he does it. We brought him up his sophomore year, just because of the great attitude he has.”
In his over 20 years of coaching, Hourigan said he would probably rank Perez as a top three player in terms of attitude and being a respectful young man.
“He’s truly an outstanding individual,” he said. “When you’re in his presence, your day’s better. Usually it’s the job of a coach to check on his players. He’s usually checking on us. After practice yesterday, he said, ‘coach, are you guys good? Do you need anything from me?’ And it’s supposed to be the other way around, but that’s why he’s the heart and soul and leader of our team.”
“When I talked to the University of Hartford’s coach and he wanted to know a little bit about Jerson, I said, ‘he’s a program guy. Everybody’s gonna be better when you bring him in.’ And I think that’s what they’re getting with him. He’s put in the work. When he was younger he had all the skill, but he needed the strength, and he’s just in that weight room constantly, and he’s turned himself into a college baseball player and we’re so proud of him.”
“It’s going to be an amazing year this year and an amazing college season next year, so congratulations Jerson,” Hourigan said.
Families took pictures as the athletes signed their letters of intent.
“As a former Masuk athlete, you guys make me so proud that you represent our school,” Hourigan said afterward. “You do it the right way. You play hard. I’m so proud to kind of be in that group with you, of Masuk athletes that want to play at the next level. You represent all of us.”
Hourigan thanked their families for making all of the sacrifices to enable these students to succeed in sports, from rides to practices and shots in the driveway, to playing in the backyard.
“Hopefully you recognize and thank them,” he told the panel. “I want to congratulate all of you. It’s an amazing accomplishment. We’ve had 13 athletes this year go on to play at the next level. It’s a small percentage, but it’s an amazing number for a school of our size.”
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